Medlow Bath Park Upgrade
Last year, we undertook the first round of community consultation on the Neighbourhood Parks Upgrade of Medlow Bath Park in Medlow Bath. Medlow Bath park is one of 16 parks across the Blue Mountains that are being upgraded as part of the Neighbourhood Parks Program. We consulted with the community, community groups and organisations, sporting groups and schools.
The consultation gathered information about who uses the park, who would like to use the park and what inclusions the community would like to see, within the scope of this project. What we learned helped inform the designs we are presenting to you now, each of which addresses key wants and needs expressed through the consultation.
- Medlow Bath Park is well used with 37% of respondents using the park every day, 19% every week, and 31% every month.
- 66% of respondents take children to the park, mostly under 10 years of age.
- 60% voted to replace play equipment and add a climbing frame.
- 49% voted to add an accessible sensory play section.
- 39% of respondents voted to replace play equipment and add swings.
- 38% of respondents voted to replace play equipment and add a spinning wheel.
- 30% of respondents voted to replace play equipment and add a slide.
- 84 % of respondents voted for improved picnic facilities.
- 34% of respondents voted to resurface tennis court.
In the options we are presenting, we have tried to accommodate as much of the stated wants for the park as possible, while balancing budget and looking at what is available at other nearby parks.
Design description
The upgrade of Medlow Bath Park will include:
- Replacement of the play space with new and modern equipment including a new accessible play area near the picnic shelter.
- The picnic facilities will be improved with a new wheelchair accessible path and pavement inside and around the shelter, with more informal group seating.
- The old brick BBQ will be removed.
- A new and unique feature will be the accessible creative playhouse near the picnic shelter in addition to creative activity boards.
The play equipment will include elements which provide fun, creative and developmental opportunities for children of a wide range of ages and abilities.
The equipment is designed to create opportunities for a variety of play options:
- 'Moving the body' play may include the rock climbing features to develop strength, help develop risk management and are good for younger and older children.
- 'Kinetic play' includes swings, slides and spring rockers to help develop balance skills.
- 'Social Play and Imagination Play' will bring kids together to develop social and cooperation skills, and be spontaneous and creative.
- 'Explorative play' is a hands-on investigation of the world around us.
- There are also many spaces around the play space where kids can engage in self-directed learning about the environment.
Council understands there is strong support for upgrading the tennis court, and while this will not be done as a part of this project, Council is proactively seeking funding opportunities which will support a tennis court upgrade as a future project.
Please take some time to check out the designs and share your thoughts with us through the survey.
Park layout showing playspace and picnic shelter
Location mapPlayspace Option 1
Playspace Option 1
Playspace Option 1 detail
Playspace Option 1 Detail
Playspace Option 1 Detail
Playspace Option 1 Detail
Playspace Option 1 floorplan
Picnic Shelter Option 1
Picnic Shelter Option 1
Playspace Option 2
Playspace Option 2
Playspace Option 2 detail
Playspace Option 2 detail
Playspace Option 2 detail
Playspace Option 2 detail
Playspace Option 2 floorplan
Picnic Shelter Option 2
Picnic shelter 2